How to swim without being exhausted

author : Tri Swim Coach

comments : 0

If swim workouts are much more trying than your bike and run workouts, try these tips

Member Question

"I am on week three of the Bronze Beginner 1/2 Ironman program. I am now finishing this week -- week three. I would like to know if it is common to feel wasted towards the end of the week. I am comfortable with the running and cycling, but the swimming is wasting me. I am finishing what is set on the program, but I think I am slow. For examples, my swim sets of 400 are about 9 minutes 15 seconds. What do I need to be aiming for?"

Answer from Kevin Koskella
TriSwimCoach.com

Hi there,

The answer to this is: No, feeling wasted at the end of the week should not be part of the deal.

What is likely happening is that you are using a ton of energy to move through the water, and much of that is being wasted on keeping yourself from sinking, rather that moving forward.

Unlike cycling and running, swimming requires that you develop balance in a foreign environment -- water! So the first thing I have beginners do is work on getting in the water often, and practice these balance drills:

1. Kicking on your side. 

2. Shark Fin Drill

Do both of these with Zoomers fins on at first. This will allow you to make greater strides in improving your balance faster, without having to worry about your kick.

Think about taking a step back to move two steps forward in your swim. No need to kill yourself in training, especially at this point. Have fun, have patience, and keep swimming!

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date: August 29, 2011